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Ferguson Enterprises Inc./DE – ‘S-4’ on 3/1/24 – ‘EX-3.2’

On:  Friday, 3/1/24, at 4:19pm ET   ·   Accession #:  1193125-24-55979   ·   File #:  333-277589

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  As Of               Filer                 Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size             Issuer                      Filing Agent

 3/01/24  Ferguson Enterprises Inc./DE      S-4                   12:4.2M                                   Donnelley … Solutions/FA

Registration Statement – Securities for a Merger   —   Form S-4   —   SA’33

Filing Table of Contents

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: S-4         Registration Statement - Securities for a Merger    HTML   3.32M 
 2: EX-3.1      Articles of Incorporation/Organization or Bylaws    HTML     22K 
 3: EX-3.2      Articles of Incorporation/Organization or Bylaws    HTML     70K 
 4: EX-5.1      Opinion of Counsel re: Legality                     HTML     15K 
 5: EX-8.1      Opinion of Counsel re: Tax Matters                  HTML     20K 
 6: EX-8.2      Opinion of Counsel re: Tax Matters                  HTML     17K 
 7: EX-10.55    Material Contract                                   HTML    109K 
 8: EX-21.1     Subsidiaries List                                   HTML      6K 
 9: EX-23.1     Consent of Expert or Counsel                        HTML      6K 
10: EX-23.2     Consent of Expert or Counsel                        HTML      6K 
12: EX-FILING FEES  Filing Fees                                     HTML     32K 
11: EX-99.1     Miscellaneous Exhibit                               HTML     39K 


‘EX-3.2’   —   Articles of Incorporation/Organization or Bylaws


This Exhibit is an HTML Document rendered as filed.  [ Alternative Formats ]



  EX-3.2  

Exhibit 3.2

FERGUSON ENTERPRISES INC.

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I.

OFFICES

Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office of the corporation in the State of Delaware shall be located at 1521 Concord Pike, Suite 201, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19803. The name of the corporation’s registered agent at such address shall be Corporate Creations Network Inc. The registered office and/or registered agent of the corporation may be changed from time to time by action of the board of directors.

Section 2. Other Offices. The corporation may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Delaware, as the board of directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.

ARTICLE II.

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. Annual Meetings. An annual meeting of stockholders shall be held each year within one hundred twenty (120) days after the close of the immediately preceding fiscal year of the corporation for the purpose of electing directors and conducting such other proper business as may come before the meeting. The date, time, place, if any, and/or the means of remote communication, if any, of the annual meeting shall be determined by the Chief Executive Officer (as defined below); provided, however, that if the Chief Executive Officer does not act, the board of directors shall determine the date, time, place, if any, and/or the means of remote communication, if any, of such meeting. No annual meeting of stockholders need be held if not required by the certificate of incorporation or by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).

Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders may be called for any purpose (including, without limitation, the filling of board vacancies and newly created directorships) and may be held at such time and place, within or without the State of Delaware, and/or by means of remote communication, as shall be stated in a written notice of meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof. Such meetings may be called at any time by the board of directors or the Chief Executive Officer and shall be called by the Chief Executive Officer upon the written request of holders of shares entitled to cast not less than fifty percent (50%) of the votes at the meeting, which written request shall state the purpose or purposes of the meeting and shall be delivered to the Chief Executive Officer. The date, time, place, if any, and/or the means of remote communication, if any, of the special meeting shall be determined by the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation; provided, however, that if the Chief Executive Officer does not act, the board of directors shall determine the date, time, place, if any, and/or the means of remote communication, if any, of such meeting.


Section 3. Place of Meetings. The board of directors may designate any place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the place of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting called by the board of directors and may also designate any means of remote communication with respect to such meeting. If no designation is made, or if a special meeting be otherwise called, the place of meeting shall be the principal executive office of the corporation.

Section 4. Notice. Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, written or printed notice stating the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of special meetings, the purpose or purposes, of such meeting, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting. All such notices shall be delivered, either personally, by mail, or by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given, by or at the direction of the board of directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Corporate Secretary (as defined below), and if mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at his, her or its address as the same appears on the records of the corporation. If given by electronic transmission, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered (a) if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (b) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (c) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (1) such posting, and (2) the giving of such separate notice; and (d) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if (x) the corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two (2) consecutive notices given by the corporation in accordance with such consent and (y) such inability becomes known to the secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation or to the transfer agent. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

Section 5. Stockholders List. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of the stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting: (1) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting; and/or (2) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the corporation. In the event that the corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.

 

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Section 6. Quorum. The holders of a majority of the votes represented by the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote thereon, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders, except as otherwise provided by statute or by the certificate of incorporation. If a quorum is not present, the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting, and entitled to vote at the meeting, may adjourn the meeting to another time and/or place, if any. When a quorum is once present to commence a meeting of stockholders, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any stockholders or their proxies.

Section 7. Adjourned Meetings. When a meeting is adjourned to another time and place, if any, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

Section 8. Vote Required. When a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders, unless the question is one upon which by express provisions of an applicable law or of the certificate of incorporation a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.

Section 9. Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided by the DGCL or by the certificate of incorporation or any amendments thereto and subject to Section 3 of Article VI hereof, every stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one (1) vote in person or by proxy for each share of common stock held by such stockholder.

Section 10. Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. At each meeting of the stockholders, and before any voting commences, all proxies filed at or before the meeting shall be submitted to and examined by the secretary or a person designated by the secretary, and no shares may be represented or voted under a proxy that has been found to be invalid or irregular.

Section 11. Action by Written Consent. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent

 

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or consents in writing setting forth the action so taken and bearing the dates of signature of the stockholders who signed the consent or consents is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and is delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in the state of Delaware, or the corporation’s principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book or books in which proceedings of meetings of the stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested or by reputable overnight courier service. All consents properly delivered in accordance with this section shall be deemed to be recorded when so delivered. No written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days after the earliest dated consent delivered to the corporation as required by this section, written consents signed by the holders of a sufficient number of shares to take such corporate action are so recorded. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing. Any action taken pursuant to such written consent or consents of the stockholders shall have the same force and effect as if taken by the stockholders at a meeting thereof.

A telegram, cablegram, e-mail or other electronic transmission consenting to an action to be taken and transmitted by a stockholder or proxyholder, or by a person or persons authorized to act for a stockholder or proxyholder, shall be deemed to be written, signed and dated for the purposes of this section; provided that any such telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission sets forth or is delivered with information from which the corporation can determine (A) that the telegram, cablegram, e-mail or other electronic transmission was transmitted by the stockholder or proxyholder or by a person or persons authorized to act for the stockholder or proxyholder and (B) the date on which such stockholder or proxyholder or authorized person or persons transmitted such telegram, cablegram or electronic transmission. The date on which such telegram, cablegram, e-mail or electronic transmission is transmitted shall be deemed to be the date on which such consent was signed. Any such telegram, cablegram, e-mail or other electronic transmission of a consent shall be treated in all respects as an original executed consent and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of the board of directors or the Corporate Secretary of the corporation, each stockholder, proxyholder or other authorized person who delivered a consent by telegram, cablegram, e-mail or other electronic transmission shall re-execute the original form thereof and deliver such original to the corporation at its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business or to an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded.

Any copy, facsimile or other reliable reproduction of a consent in writing may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing for any and all purposes for which the original writing could be used; provided that such copy, facsimile or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing.

 

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ARTICLE III.

DIRECTORS

Section 1. General Powers. The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the board of directors.

Section 2. Number, Election and Term of Office. The number of directors which shall constitute the first board of directors shall be three (3). Thereafter, the number of directors shall be established from time to time by resolution of the board of directors. The directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote in the election of directors. The directors shall be elected in this manner at the annual meeting of stockholders, except as provided in Section 4 of this Article III. Each director elected shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal as hereinafter provided.

Section 3. Removal and Resignation. Subject to the provisions of the subscription agreements, any director or the entire board of directors may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors. Whenever the holders of any class or series are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, the provisions of this section shall apply, in respect to the removal without cause of a director or directors so elected, to the vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of that class or series and not to the vote of the outstanding shares as a whole. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice given to the corporation.

Section 4. Vacancies. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by the remaining directors, even if less than a quorum. Each director so chosen shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal as herein provided.

Section 5. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of each newly elected board of directors shall be held without notice (other than notice under these bylaws) immediately after, and at the same place, if any, as the annual meeting of stockholders.

Section 6. Other Meetings and Notice. Regular meetings, other than the annual meeting, of the board of directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place, if any, as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the board of directors and promptly communicated to all directors then in office.

Section 7. Quorum, Required Vote and Adjournment. Directors then in office holding a majority of the votes (or such greater number required by applicable law) of all directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The vote of directors holding a majority of votes present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the board of directors. Except as otherwise required by the certificate of incorporation, each director shall be entitled to one vote on exactly the matter presented to the board for approval.

 

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Section 8. Committees. The board of directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation, which to the extent provided in such resolution or these bylaws shall have and may exercise the powers of the board of directors in the management and affairs of the corporation, except as otherwise limited by law. The board of directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the board of directors. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the board of directors when required.

Section 9. Committee Rules. Each committee of the board of directors may fix its own rules of procedure and shall hold its meetings as provided by such rules, except as may otherwise be provided by a resolution of the board of directors designating such committee. In the event that a member and that member’s alternate, if alternates are designated by the board of directors as provided in Section 8 of this Article III, of such committee is or are absent or disqualified, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.

Section 10. Communications Equipment. Members of the board of directors or any committee thereof may participate in and act at any meeting of such board or committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in the meeting pursuant to this section shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 11. Waiver of Notice and Presumption of Assent. Any member of the board of directors or any committee thereof who is present at a meeting shall be conclusively presumed to have waived notice of such meeting, except when such member attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Such member shall be conclusively presumed to have assented to any action taken unless his or her dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless his or her written dissent to such action shall be filed with the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall be forwarded by registered mail to the secretary of the corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to any member who voted in favor of such action.

Section 12. Action by Written Consent. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the board of directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the board of directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board of directors or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

 

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ARTICLE IV.

OFFICERS

Section 1. Position and Election. The officers of the corporation shall be elected by the board of directors and shall include a chief executive officer (the “Chief Executive Officer”), a president (the “President”), a chief financial officer (the “Chief Financial Officer”), a treasurer (the “Treasurer”), a chief legal officer (the “Chief Legal Officer”), a corporate secretary (the “Corporate Secretary”), as well as such other officers as the board of directors (or any other officer to whom such authority has been delegated by the board of directors) may from time to time determine including, but not limited to, one or more vice presidents, treasurers, assistant treasurers and assistant secretaries. To the extent authorized by the board of directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Chief Legal Officer may appoint such other officers as determined appropriate. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.

Section 2. Term of Office; Removal; Resignation. Each officer of the corporation shall hold office until such officer’s successor is elected and qualified or until such officer’s earlier death, resignation, or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the board of directors or, except in the case of any officer elected by the board of directors, by any superior officer upon whom such power may be conferred by the board of directors. The removal of an officer shall be without prejudice to his or her contract rights, if any. The election or appointment of an officer shall not of itself create contract rights. Any officer of the corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of his or her resignation to the Chief Executive Officer or the Corporate Secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time when it shall become effective shall not be specified therein, immediately upon its receipt. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Should any vacancy occur among the officers, the position shall be filled by an appointment made by the board of directors.

Section 3. Powers and Duties. The powers and duties of the officers of the corporation shall be as provided from time to time by resolution of the board (or any other officer to whom such authority has been delegated by the board of directors). In the absence of such determination, the respective officers shall have the powers and shall discharge the duties customarily and usually held and performed by like officers of corporations similar in organization and business purposes to the corporation subject to the control of the board.

Section 4. Duties of Officers May Be Delegated. In case any officer is absent, or for any other reason that the board of directors may deem sufficient, the Chief Executive Officer or the board of directors may delegate for the time being the powers or duties of such officer to any other officer or to any director.

 

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ARTICLE V.

INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND OTHERS

Section 1. Right to Indemnification In Proceedings Other than Proceedings by or in the Right of the Corporation. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or participant in, or otherwise becomes involved in, any Proceeding (as defined below), other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the corporation, shall be indemnified by the corporation to the Fullest Extent Permitted By Applicable Law (as defined below) against all Losses (as defined below) and Expenses (as defined below) actually and reasonably incurred by such person, or on such person’s behalf, in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful.

Section 2. Right to Indemnification in Proceedings by or in the Right of the Corporation. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a made a party to or participant in, or otherwise becomes involved in, any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the corporation shall be indemnified by the corporation to the Fullest Extent Permitted By Applicable Law against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person, or on such person’s behalf, in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; provided, however, if applicable law so provides, no indemnification against such Expenses shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter in such Proceeding as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware or the court in which such Proceeding was brought shall determine that such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to such indemnification.

Section 3. Indemnification of Expenses. To the extent that the Indemnitee (as defined below) is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defense of any Proceeding, the Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the Fullest Extent Permitted By Applicable Law, against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee or on the Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith. If the Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the corporation shall indemnify the Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee or on the Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. For purposes of this Section 3 of this Article V and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, on substantive or procedural grounds, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

Section 4. Advancement of Expenses. The corporation shall advance, to the Fullest Extent Permitted By Applicable Law, all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the corporation of a statement or statements from the Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by the Indemnitee. The Indemnitee shall qualify for advances upon the execution and delivery to the corporation of an Indemnification Agreement, which shall constitute an undertaking providing that the Indemnitee undertakes to repay the amounts advanced by the corporation, if and only to the extent that it is ultimately determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. Unless otherwise determined by the board of directors, no other form of undertaking shall be required other than the execution of an Indemnification Agreement. Any advances and undertakings to repay pursuant to the Indemnification Agreement shall be unsecured and interest free.

 

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Section 5. Insurance. The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf and on behalf of any person who is or was or has agreed to become a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member, manager, employee, agent or fiduciary of another Enterprise, against any Expenses or Losses asserted against them and incurred by them in any such capacity, or arising out of their Corporate Status, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such Expenses or Losses under the DGCL.

Section 6. Service for Subsidiaries. Any person serving as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member, manager, employee, agent or fiduciary of any Enterprise, at least 50% of whose equity interests are owned, directly or indirectly, by the corporation shall be conclusively presumed to be serving in such capacity at the request of the corporation.

Section 7. Reliance. Persons who after the date of the adoption of this provision become or remain directors or officers of the corporation or who, while a director or officer of the corporation, become or remain, at the request of the corporation, a director, officer, partner, trustee, member, manager, employee, agent or fiduciary of any Enterprise, shall be conclusively presumed to have relied on the rights to indemnity, advancement of Expenses and other rights contained in this Article V in entering into or continuing such service. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the rights to indemnification and to the advancement of Expenses conferred in this Article V shall apply to claims made against an Indemnitee arising out of acts or omissions which occurred or occur both prior and subsequent to the adoption hereof. Any amendment or repeal of this Article V that adversely affects any right of an Indemnitee or its successors shall be prospective only and shall not eliminate, reduce or otherwise adversely affect any such right or protection with respect to any Proceeding involving any action or omission that occurred or allegedly occurred prior to such amendment or repeal.

Section 8. Contract Rights; Continuation of Rights of Indemnification; Rights Subject to Indemnification Agreement. All rights to indemnification and advancement of Expenses under this Article V shall be deemed to be a contract between the corporation and each director or officer of the corporation who serves or served in such capacity at any time while this Article V is in effect. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of Expenses conferred in this Article V shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under the Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation or under any statute, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise; provided that, if the Indemnitee and the corporation are parties to an Indemnification Agreement, for so long as such Indemnification Agreement is in effect, the rights and obligations of the corporation and the Indemnitee with respect to indemnification and the advancement of Expenses under such Indemnification Agreement shall supersede and replace the rights to indemnification and advancement provided to such Indemnitee under these bylaws, and such Indemnitee shall have no rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses except as provided in such Indemnification Agreement, which are incorporated into these bylaws by reference and made a part hereof.

 

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Section 9. Savings Clause. To the Fullest Extent Permitted By Applicable Law, if this Article V or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the corporation shall nevertheless indemnify and advance Expenses to each person entitled to indemnification under this Article V as to all Expenses and Losses actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such person and for which indemnification and advancement of Expenses is available to such person pursuant to this Article V to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article V that shall not have been invalidated. Any repeal or amendment of this Article V or, to the Fullest Extent Permitted By Applicable Law, repeal or modification of relevant provisions of the DGCL or any other applicable laws shall not in any way eliminate, reduce or otherwise adversely affect any rights to indemnification and advancement of Expenses of such director or officer or the obligations of the corporation arising hereunder with respect to any Proceeding arising out of, or relating to, any actions or omissions that occurred or alleged to have occurred prior to the final adoption of such repeal, amendment or modification.

Section 10. Definitions. Solely for the purpose of this Article V:

(a) “Corporate Status” means the status of a person who is or was a director or officer, of the corporation or, while a director or officer of the corporation, is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member, manager, employee, agent or fiduciary of any other Enterprise.

(b) “Enterprise” means the corporation and any corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that the Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, trustee, partner, member, manager, employee, agent or fiduciary.

(c) “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

(d) “Expenses” means all reasonable direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever and shall specifically include, without limitation, all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees and costs of experts and other professionals, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, participating, or being or preparing to be a witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding, or responding to, or objecting to, a request to provide discovery in any Proceeding. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent, and any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on a person as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Article V, as well as all reasonable attorneys’ fees and all other expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in connection with preparing and submitting any requests or statements for indemnification, advancement, contribution or any other right provided by this Article V. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by the Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against the Indemnitee.

 

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(e) “Fullest Extent Permitted By Applicable Law” includes, but is not limited to: (i) to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable provision of the DGCL, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of the DGCL, and (ii) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL adopted hereafter that increase the extent to which a corporation may indemnify its directors and officers.

(f) “Indemnitee” means a person entitled to be indemnified by the corporation pursuant to Article V of these bylaws.

(g) “Indemnification Agreement” means any agreement between the corporation and an Indemnitee providing Indemnitee with rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses incurred in defending any Proceeding brought against the Indemnitee by virtue of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, whether now existing or hereafter entered into.

(h) “Losses” means all liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties, costs, losses, excise taxes or penalties under ERISA, amounts paid in settlement (including all interest assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such liabilities, losses, judgements, fines, excise taxes, penalties and costs) and other amounts that the Indemnitee reasonably incurs and that result from, arise in connection with or are by reason of the Indemnitee’s Corporate Status.

(i) any references to the “corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers and employees or agents, so that any Indemnitee shall stand in the same position under this Article V with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as they would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

(j) any reference to an “officer” of the corporation shall be deemed to refer exclusively to the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, the Chief Legal Officer and the Corporate Secretary appointed pursuant to Article IV of these bylaws, and to any other officer of the corporation appointed by the Board pursuant to Article IV of these bylaws, and any reference to an officer of any other Enterprise shall be deemed to refer exclusively to an officer appointed by the board of directors or equivalent governing body of such other entity pursuant to the certificate of incorporation and bylaws or equivalent organizational documents of such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise. The fact that any person who is or was an employee of the corporation or an employee of any other Enterprise, but not an officer thereof as described in the preceding sentence, has been given or has used the title of “Vice President” or any other title that could be construed to suggest or imply that such person is or may be such an officer of the corporation or of such other Enterprise shall not result in such person being constituted as, or being deemed to be, such an officer of the corporation or of such other Enterprise for purposes of this Article V.

 

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(k) “Proceeding” includes any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, claim, counterclaim, cross claim, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the corporation or otherwise and whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which the Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise, by reason of the Indemnitee’s Corporate Status or by reason of any action taken by the Indemnitee or of any inaction on the Indemnitee’s part while acting in the Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, in each case whether or not the Indemnitee is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under these bylaws, but excluding one initiated by an Indemnitee to enforce the Indemnitee’s rights under this Article V.

ARTICLE VI.

CERTIFICATES OF STOCK

Section 1. Uncertificated Shares; Certificated Shares. The shares of stock of the corporation shall be uncertificated, provided that the board of directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be represented by certificates. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the corporation. Every holder of stock in the corporation represented by a certificate shall be entitled to have such certificate, signed by, or in the name of the corporation by any two authorized officers of the corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by such holder in the corporation. If such a certificate is countersigned (1) by a transfer agent or an assistant transfer agent other than the corporation or its employee or (2) by a registrar, other than the corporation or its employee, the signature of any such president, vice-president, secretary, or assistant secretary may be facsimiles. In case any officer or officers who have signed, or whose facsimile signature or signatures have been used on, any such certificate or certificates shall cease to be such officer or officers of the corporation whether because of death, resignation or otherwise before such certificate or certificates have been delivered by the corporation, such certificate or certificates may nevertheless be issued and delivered as though the person or persons who signed such certificate or certificates or whose facsimile signature or signatures have been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer or officers of the corporation. All certificates representing shares shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified. The name of the person to whom the shares represented thereby are issued, with the number of shares and date of issue, shall be entered on the books of the corporation. Shares of stock of the corporation shall only be transferred on the books of the corporation by the holder of record thereof or by such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, upon surrender to the corporation of the certificate or certificates representing such shares (to the extent evidenced by a physical stock certificate) to the person in charge of the stock and transfer books and ledgers. Certificates representing such shares, if any, shall be cancelled and new certificates, if the shares are to be certificated, shall thereupon be issued. Shares of stock of the corporation that are not represented by a certificate shall be transferred in

 

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accordance with applicable law. A record shall be made of each transfer. Whenever any transfer of shares shall be made for collateral security, and not absolutely, it shall be so expressed in the entry of the transfer if, when the certificates are presented, both the transferor and transferee request the corporation to do so. The board of directors shall have power and authority to make such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or proper concerning the issuance, transfer and registration of certificates for shares of stock of the corporation.

Section 2. Lost Certificates. The board of directors may direct a new certificate or certificates or uncertificated shares to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates previously issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen, or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, or of uncertificated shares, the board of directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, to give the corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the corporation against any claim that may be made against the corporation in connection therewith.

Section 3. Fixing a Record Date for Stockholder Meetings. In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the board of directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be the close of business on the next day preceding the day on which notice is given, or if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided that the board of directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

Section 4. Fixing a Record Date for Action by Written Consent. In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors, and which date shall not be more than ten days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors. If no record date has been fixed by the board of directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the board of directors is required by statute, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the board of directors and prior action by the board of directors is required by statute, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board of directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

 

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Section 5. Fixing a Record Date for Other Purposes. In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment or any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purposes of any other lawful action, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board of directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

Section 6. Registered Stockholders. Prior to the surrender to the corporation of the certificate or certificates representing a share or shares of stock with a request to record the transfer of such share or shares, the corporation may treat the registered owner as the person entitled to receive dividends, to vote, to receive notifications, and otherwise to exercise all the rights and powers of an owner.

Section 7. Subscriptions for Stock. Unless otherwise provided for in the applicable subscription agreement, subscriptions for shares shall be paid in full at such time, or in such installments and at such times, as shall be determined by the board of directors. Any call made by the board of directors for payment on subscriptions shall be uniform as to all shares of the same class or as to all shares of the same series. In case of default in the payment of any installment or call when such payment is due, the corporation may proceed to collect the amount due in the same manner as any debt due the corporation.

ARTICLE VII.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Dividends. Subject to any applicable provisions of the certificate of incorporation, dividends payable upon the capital stock of the corporation may be declared by the board of directors at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or any other purpose and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

Section 2. Checks, Drafts or Orders. All checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money by or to the corporation and all notes and other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the corporation, and in such manner, as shall be determined by resolution of the board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof.

Section 3. Contracts. The board of directors may authorize any officer or officers, or any agent or agents, of the corporation to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

 

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Section 4. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the board of directors.

Section 5. Corporate Seal. The board of directors may provide a corporate seal which shall be in the form of a circle and shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware.” The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

Section 6. Voting Securities Owned By Corporation. Voting securities in any other corporation held by the corporation shall be voted by the Chief Executive Officer or any other duly elected officer of the corporation, unless the board of directors specifically confers authority to vote with respect thereto, which authority may be general or confined to specific instances, upon some other person. Any person authorized to vote securities shall have the power to appoint proxies, with general power of substitution.

Section 7. Inspection of Books and Records. Any stockholder of record, in person or by attorney or other agent, shall, upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have the right during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose the corporation’s stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and records, and to make copies or extracts therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean any purpose reasonably related to such person’s interest as a stockholder. In every instance where an attorney or other agent shall be the person who seeks the right to inspection, the demand under oath shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or such other writing which authorizes the attorney or other agent to so act on behalf of the stockholder. The demand under oath shall be directed to the corporation at its registered office in the State of Delaware or at its principal place of business.

Section 8. Section Heading. Section headings in these bylaws are for convenience of reference only and shall not be given any substantive effect in limiting or otherwise construing any provision herein.

Section 9. Inconsistent Provisions. In the event that any provision of these bylaws is or becomes inconsistent with any provision of the certificate of incorporation, the DGCL or any other applicable law, the provision of these bylaws shall not be given any effect to the extent of such inconsistency but shall otherwise be given full force and effect.

ARTICLE VIII.

AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended, altered, or repealed and new bylaws adopted by the board of directors. The fact that the power to adopt, amend, alter, or repeal the bylaws has been conferred upon the board of directors shall not divest the stockholders of the same powers.

 

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2 Subsequent Filings that Reference this Filing

  As Of               Filer                 Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size             Issuer                      Filing Agent

 4/16/24  Ferguson Enterprises Inc./DE      S-4/A                  1:4M                                     Donnelley … Solutions/FA
 4/12/24  Ferguson Enterprises Inc./DE      S-4/A                  6:4.1M                                   Donnelley … Solutions/FA


15 Previous Filings that this Filing References

  As Of               Filer                 Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size             Issuer                      Filing Agent

 3/01/24  Ferguson plc                      8-K:1,5,8,9 2/29/24   13:685K                                   Donnelley … Solutions/FA
 1/18/24  Ferguson plc                      8-K:8,9     1/18/24   11:177K                                   Donnelley … Solutions/FA
 1/12/24  Ferguson plc                      8-K:7,9     1/12/24   14:1.2M                                   Donnelley … Solutions/FA
12/06/23  Ferguson plc                      10-Q       10/31/23   68:4.4M
12/04/23  Ferguson plc                      8-K:5      11/29/23   10:138K                                   Donnelley … Solutions/FA
11/29/23  Ferguson plc                      8-K:5,9    11/28/23   14:1M                                     Donnelley … Solutions/FA
10/17/23  Ferguson plc                      DEF 14A    11/28/23   11:14M                                    Donnelley … Solutions/FA
 9/26/23  Ferguson plc                      10-K        7/31/23  152:16M
 3/08/23  Ferguson plc                      10-Q        1/31/23   75:6.8M
12/01/22  Ferguson plc                      8-K:3,5,8,911/30/22   15:937K                                   Donnelley … Solutions/FA
10/25/22  Ferguson plc                      8-K:4,9    10/25/22   11:191K
10/13/22  Ferguson plc                      8-K:1,2,7,810/07/22   14:51M
 9/27/22  Ferguson plc                      10-K        7/31/22  137:14M
 2/28/22  Ferguson plc                      S-8         2/28/22    5:435K                                   Donnelley … Solutions/FA
 2/12/21  Ferguson plc                      20FR12B                8:5.8M                                   Donnelley … Solutions/FA
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